A&M keeps winning despite shooting woes

A&M wins despite again hitting less than 45 percent.

Elston Turner, getting a shot up against SFA’s Hal Bateman, was one of the few bright spots offensively for A&M.

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Texas A&M coach Billy Kennedy argues a call during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Stephen F. Austin, Saturday, Dec. 3, 2011, in College Station. Texas A&M won 55-42.

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Stephen F. Austin's Jereal Scott, left, shoots the ball around Texas A&M defender Keith Davis (4) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game on Saturday, Dec. 3, 2011, in College Station. Texas A&M won 55-42.

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Stephen F. Austin's Jonathan King (23) rebounds the ball against Texas A&M defender David Loubeau (10) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game on Saturday, Dec. 3, 2011, in College Station.

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Texas A&M's David Loubeau, top, shoots the ball against Stephen F. Austin defenders Taylor Smith (32) and Jonathan King (23) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game on Saturday, Dec. 3, 2011, in College Station.

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Texas A&M's Naji Hibbert (2) shoots the ball over Stephen F. Austin's Jacob Parker (34) and Taylor Smith (32) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game on Saturday, Dec. 3, 2011, in College Station.

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Stephen F. Austin coach Danny Kaspar argues a call during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Texas A&M Saturday, Dec. 3, 2011, in College Station.

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Texas A&M's Dash Harris (5) attempts to pass the ball against Stephen F. Austin defender Darius Gardner (24) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game on Saturday, Dec. 3, 2011, in College Station.

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Stephen F. Austin's Taylor Smith (32) blocks a shot by Texas A&M;s David Loubeau (10) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game on Saturday, Dec. 3, 2011, in College Station. Texas A&M won 55-42.

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Texas A&M's Ray Turner (35) shoots the ball over Stephen F. Austin's Jacob Parker (34), Taylor Smith (32) and Hal Bateman (4) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game on Saturday, Dec. 3, 2011, in College Station. Texas A&M won 55-42.

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Stephen F. Austin's Antonio Bostic (5) shoots the ball over Texas A&M defender Keith Davis (4) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game on Saturday, Dec. 3, 2011, in College Station. Texas A&M won 55-42.

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COLLEGE STATION — Texas A&M is anxiously awaiting the return of guard Khris Middleton — and perhaps at that time, the Aggies' growing concern will lessen.

“We shoot in practice every day, and we know in order to beat the better teams as we move on, we're going to have to start making shots,” Aggies guard Elston Turner said. “When we get Khris back, it will help because he's a great shooter.”

No. 25 A&M made 20 of its 48 shots (41.7 percent) on Saturday night in a 55-42 victory over Stephen F. Austin at Reed Arena before 6,465 fans. It was the Aggies' fifth consecutive game to not shoot at least 45 percent from the floor.

“We're going to make shots at some point, and we're working and shooting more in the gym,” said coach Billy Kennedy, whose Aggies (6-1) haven't scored more than 60 points in each of their last five games.

“Shooting is not a strength of ours, but in this offense when guys are open, I want them to shoot it.”

Kennedy said Middleton is expected back in about a week from surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee that he suffered in A&M's opener against Liberty on Nov. 9. Meanwhile, SFA (3-3) was worse — much worse — than A&M from the field, making just 15 of 52 shots (28.8 percent) as the Aggies held an opponent under 45 points for a third straight game for the first time in five years.

“We didn't play to our full potential out there,” said SFA coach Danny Kaspar, whose squad had won 53-35 at Texas-El Paso on Nov. 26. “We got outrebounded pretty good (44-28), but that's going to happen when you miss 37 shots.”

The Aggies can take heart that their long-range shooting picked up from the game before — although that isn't saying much. They finished 0 for 17 from 3-point range on Wednesday night in a 56-44 victory over Alcorn State and finished 4 of 12 from long distance against the Lumberjacks.

Turner made all four of his tries, matching a career high for the transfer from Washington. As for A&M's overall poor shooting?

“It's better to miss shots early,” said Turner, who led A&M with 17 points, “than in the Big 12 tournament and the NCAA tournament.”